--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you eliminate all other possibilities…" description: "\"“If you eliminate all other possibilities, whatever remains must be the truth.\" Sherlock Holmes”\" — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/sir-arthur-conan-doyle-14433_sherlock_if-you-eliminate-all-other-possibilities_2566791.jpg" --- # If you eliminate all other possibilities, whatever remains… ![“If you eliminate all other possibilities, whatever remains must be the truth." Sherlock Holmes” quote by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/sir-arthur-conan-doyle-14433_sherlock_if-you-eliminate-all-other-possibilities_2566791.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/sir-arthur-conan-doyle-14433_sherlock_if-you-eliminate-all-other-possibilities_2566791.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/sir-arthur-conan-doyle-14433_sherlock_if-you-eliminate-all-other-possibilities_2566791.jpg) > ““If you eliminate all other possibilities, whatever remains must be the truth." Sherlock Holmes”” [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When all other explanations are ruled out, the remaining one is the most likely truth. **In simple terms:** Eliminate alternatives to find truth. Key Takeaway Focus on eliminating false leads. Themes logic deduction truth-seeking Mood analytical curious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - investigations - problem solving - scientific research Key Concepts Sherlock Holmes method critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions are you overlooking? - How can you ensure all alternatives are examined? A Different Perspective Assumes all possibilities are considered; may miss hidden options. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sherlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sherlock/) [Sherlock holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sherlock-holmes/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“When you have eliminated the impossible,” he heard Melissa say through the intercom, “whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Sherlock Holmes said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-r-hicks/when-you-have-eliminated-the-impossible-he-heard-melissa-say-through/) [Michael R. 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I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/to-sherlock-holmes-she-is-always-the-woman-i-have-seldom-heard-him-3/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) ## More by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle > [Sherlock Holmes: She is a lovely woman, Watson, with a face that a man might die for. 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A fool always finds a greater fool to admire him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/un-sot-trouve-toujours-un-plus-sot-qui-l-admire-a-fool-always-finds-a/) [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“My friend's wiry arms were around me and he was leading me to the chair. "You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake say that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/my-friend-s-wiry-arms-were-around-me-and-he-was-leading-me-to-the/) [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“It is the German who is so uncourteous to his verbs”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/it-is-the-german-who-is-so-uncourteous-to-his-verbs/) [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young woman, Watson," said Holmes in a reminiscent voice. "It was a ship which is associated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/matilda-briggs-was-not-the-name-of-a-young-woman-watson-said-holmes/) [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“Holmes took up the stone and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just see how it glints and sparkles.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/holmes-took-up-the-stone-and-held-it-against-the-light-it-s-a-bonny/) [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“Some of you rich men have to be taught that all the world cannot be bribed into condoning your offences.\\”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/some-of-you-rich-men-have-to-be-taught-that-all-the-world-cannot-be/) [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/) > [“The Frenchman sat up with that strange energy which comes often as the harbinger of death. 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